How to End Up with a Good Plumber

If you’re dealing with plumbing problems, you definitely need a professional plumber to solve them. The question is, while there are many plumbers out there, how do you choose a real, reliable expert?

Here are things to consider when choosing a plumber:

License

This is the number one factor you should look into. Ask your potential plumber from http://danonsplumbing.net/#!water-heaters if he is licensed, and he says yes, ask for proof. What do you lose by hiring an unlicensed plumber? Your project may not pass inspection, and you may have to redo everything.

Insurance and Bond

You may not need an insured or bonded plumber for small projects, but if you’re hiring someone for a big job, then these two are a must. Both will keep you protected financially in the event of accidental injuries and property damage related to the work.

Quote

If someone would like to give you a quote on the phone, be wary. Professional plumbers from http://danonsplumbing.net/#!emergency-plumbing will always come to look at the problem before they start to work. Upon studying the quote, know if it already covers labor and materials, as well as a contingency. Some estimates look fantastic on paper until they skyrocket as the job continues.

Hourly Rate or Flat Rate

When you get an estimate, ask the plumber if you’ll be quote a flat rate (won’t change regardless of labor costs) or an hourly rate plus the cost of materials. The issue with the second option is that while the materials’ prices are fixed, you can still end up paying more if the job drags long. In any case, don’t sign the contract until you fully understand what’s in it.

Payment Schedule

Aside from knowing how much you have to pay, you also need to be aware of when you are expected to make the payment. Some plumbers go by “milestones” – when a part of the work is completed, you have to pay a certain percentage. Others charge by timeframe – for example, every week, two weeks, etc. What you have to totally avoid is a plumber who requires you to pay the full quote at the beginning of the project.

Cleanup

You may think that plumbers will automatically take care of the mess, but you won’t believe how some can actually just leave the whole mess and let the homeowner clean it up. Remember to ask if the quote already includes cleanup, and if it doesn’t, ask why.

Guarantee or Warranty

Lastly, some plumbers will come back in a year’s time to check for issues and fix them if any, while others will wait for you to call them when there are problems. What’s important is that they provide a warranty or guarantee in writing. Why should you trust a plumber who can’t even stand by his own work?